What Are the Benefits of an American Express Card?

Although benefits vary by the type of American Express card chosen, cardholders usually enjoy extended warranties, purchase protection, return protection and baggage insurance plans, according to AmericanExpress.com. Car rental loss and damage insurance, travel accident insurance, roadside assistance and access to American Express's Global Assist hotline are other perks for cardholders.

Extended warranty coverage is available with American Express Green, Senior, Gold, Senior Gold, Gold Card for Ameriprise Financial, Premier Rewards Gold and Platinum series cards, among others, notes AmericanExpress.com. The coverage provides an extended warranty equal to the original warranty that's granted on purchases made with the eligible card.

Purchase protection is available for Gold, Platinum, Green, Senior and One cards with American Express, among others. Most cards offer a 90-day purchase protection plan on purchases made with eligible cards. Return protection for these cards provides an extended return period for purchases within 90 days of purchase if the merchant refuses to take the item back.

American Express's Global Assist hotline helps travelers to replace passports, provides translation services and provides missing luggage assistance for travelers who travel more than 100 miles from home. It also helps with emergency legal and medical referrals for covered cardholders using eligible cards. Most American Express cards come with this benefit.